If you’re a fan of the delightful flavors of fall but don’t have the time for elaborate baking, then these Shortcut Apple Crumble Muffins are the perfect solution! Made using a cake mix and a can of apple pie filling, these muffins are not only incredibly easy to whip up but also bursting with the warm, comforting tastes of autumn.
They strike the perfect balance between sweetness and spice, making them a delectable treat for breakfast, brunch, or any time you’re craving a taste of the season.
These tender apple crumb muffins have just the right amount of sweetness and a texture of fluffy bakery style muffins. Like or Cake Mix Apple Cobbler the shortcut ingredients save loads of time and add next level flavor.
With a crumbly streusel topping that adds a delightful crunch and an aroma that will fill your kitchen with the scent of baked apples and cinnamon, these muffins are a surefire crowd-pleaser.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker looking for a quick fix or a beginner in the kitchen, these Shortcut Apple Crumb Muffins are a must-try recipe that will leave everyone asking for more. So, let’s get started on this easy and delicious journey through the flavors of fall!
Recipe Ingredients Notes
- Canned apple pie filling. A delicious shortcut for these muffins is using canned pie filling. You’ll need one 21-ounce can apple pie filling. The apples will be cut into smaller pieces to better suit a muffin. Instructions as part of the recipe.
- Yellow cake mix. Another great shortcut for this recipe: one 15-ounce box yellow cake mix. You can use regular cake mix or a gluten-free cake mix. We’ve made it with both (we used Betty Crocker gluten-free yellow cake mix for the gluten-free batch). This makes the best apple crumb muffins with the perfect amount of sweetness and cakey consistency.
- Cinnamon. A teaspoon of cinnamon adds a homey flavor to the muffins. You’ll need an additional one teaspoon for the cinnamon streusel muffin topping.
- Egg. One large egg will be added to the muffin batter.
- Flour. For the crumb topping you’ll need 1/2 cup of flour. Regular all purpose flour or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend will work.
- Light brown sugar. Also for the streusel topping you’ll need 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar. Be sure there are no clumps in the sugar before starting.
- Unsalted butter. Two and a half tablespoons melted unsalted butter will be added to the topping.
How to make it
No mixing wet ingredients and dry ingredients for these apple cinnamon muffins! The best part? Everything is mixed together for fast preparation in this apple streusel muffins recipe.
STEP 1. Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin tin with baking liners. NOTE: we recommend non-stick liners.
STEP 2. Make the streusel topping
In a small bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter until small clumps form (photo 1). Set the brown sugar crumb aside.
STEP 3. Make the batter
Pour the apple pie filling into a large bowl. Cut the apple slices into bite-sized pieces (photo 2). We use kitchen scissors for this but a knife will also work.
Add the cake mix, cinnamon and egg to the bowl (photo 3). Stir by hand just until mixed.
STEP 4. Scoop and Bake
Scoop (we use a large cookie scoop) or spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups filling them 3/4 full (photo 4). Sprinkle the prepared crumble topping evenly over the top of all of the muffins (photo 5).
Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
STEP 5. Cool
Allow the muffins to cool in the pan until they’re safe to touch, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely (photo 6).
How to Store
Fully cooled apple crumble muffins can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container lined with a paper towel for 2 days. Or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For best flavor allow the muffins to warm up if they’ve been chilled.
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Recipe
Apple Crumb Muffins
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2.5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Apple Muffins
- 1 21-ounce can apple pie filling
- 1 15-ounce box yellow cake mix regular or gluten-free
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin tin with baking liners. NOTE: we recommend non-stick liners.
- In a small bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter until small clumps form (using a pastry blender works great; forks can also be used). Set the brown sugar crumb aside.1/2 cup all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2.5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pour the apple pie filling into a large bowl. Cut the apple slices into bite-sized pieces. We use kitchen scissors for this but a knife will also work.1 21-ounce can apple pie filling
- Add the cake mix, cinnamon and egg to the bowl. Stir by hand just until mixed.1 15-ounce box yellow cake mix, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 large egg
- Scoop (we use a large cookie scoop) or spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups filling them 3/4 full. Sprinkle the prepared crumble topping evenly over the top of all of the muffins.
- Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the pan until they’re safe to touch, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Natasha says
This Apple Crumble Muffins recipe is perfection! I also love that I can make them ahead and keep them in the fridge for days that were craving!
Sha says
We are addicted to these apple crumb muffins! They are filled with flavors that are satisfying!
Beth says
This is exactly the kind of thing I love making during the fall. They were delicious!
Justine says
Oh wow, these are fantastic! Super simple to make, too – Love it!
Tayler says
I made these muffins for breakfast this morning and they were amazing! So full of fall flavor!
Susie says
This was delicious! We really enjoyed both making and eating it!
Kat says
I’ve been craving apple desserts now that it’s starting to feel like fall. These muffins were perfect. Great start to the day and for a treat after school.
Samantha says
This recipe was so easy that my kids made it without any help! The muffins were fantastic and we all thought the streusel topping put them over the top. We’ll be making these year-round!